2015 Ford Escape Powertrain & Transmission Problems

Took care & kept up with car maintenance quite regularly, including oil and transmission fluid drain & fills. No signs of any issues. Going uphill and suddenly transmission starts slipping and pump is suddenly whirring loud. No urgent lights or dash messages. Drove it a little further (i was already super close to my destination) and within a minute the car is violently jerking. Loud metal bangs and clank sounds and lost power. RPMs up but can’t get into gear. It will jerk & move by itself at idle because can’t stay in park either. Still no warning message. Got it towed—dealership found NO transmission codes, but found one code, p0219, engine over speed; most likely from the RPMs spiking due to the slippage. The trans fluid level was ok but it was black and burnt, despite being serviced months ago. They confirmed it will need a total replacement transmission.

Transmission failure in traffic. Just stopped engaging the gears. Transmission has failed and needs to be replaced.

Transmission failure at 79211 miles. Vehicle has been serviced and maintained regularly. Transmission shop stated this is a "very common issue" with this specific transmission, that they see failures frequently. This occurred just a month or two after the recall repair for the shifter cable bushing. Front left wheel speed sensor also went bad around the same time, causing traction control to engage specifically when turning left even on dry roads and at lower speeds. Also occurred when vehicle was in reverse, at low speeds. This also caused the "intelligent 4WD" (hill assist and acceleration assist) to fail/shut down and all indicators on the dashboard went to blank/dashes. This occurred the first time while stopped at a stop sign facing uphill. It occurred as second time days later WHILE DRIVING 35MPH.

Vehicle Information: 2015 Ford Escape – approximately 165,000 miles Incident Description: During normal operation while backing out of a parking space, the vehicle unexpectedly slipped out of the drive gear immediately after I shifted from reverse to drive. There were no warning lights, messages, or prior symptoms indicating a potential issue. After restarting the vehicle, it briefly engaged drive but was only able to travel approximately ten feet before abruptly shifting through multiple gears without any driver input. During each occurrence, the engine surged to unusually high RPMs despite no acceleration being applied. Safety Concerns: The unintended gear changes were accompanied by loud whining noises, and the vehicle was unable to remain in any gear long enough to be operated safely. This failure left the vehicle immobilized on a main roadway, causing a traffic backup and creating a hazardous situation for myself, my children, and surrounding motorists. Current Vehicle Condition: After the vehicle was towed home, I attempted several restarts. At no time did any warning indicators or a check‑engine light illuminate. Each attempt resulted in the transmission immediately disengaging from gear when shifted into either drive or reverse, accompanied by continued loud whining noises and repeated engine surging to high RPMs without throttle input. The vehicle is currently inoperable. Additional Details: I plan to take the vehicle to Keith Hawthorne Ford for diagnostic evaluation. I am concerned that this failure may be related to a previously repaired transmission recall, as the recall documentation states that the defect may recur and could require additional corrective action. The dealership is currently requiring a diagnostic fee of $199.95 to inspect the vehicle.

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost automotive power. The contact stated that while shifting the gear shifter, the current gear did not appear on the instrument panel. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The "Transmission Fault Service Now" and "Low Temperature Will Reduce Power" messages were displayed on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the vehicle was turned off and restarted and returned to normal operation. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the alternator needed to be replaced. The contact was concerned that it was an inaccurate diagnosis. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000.

We had to replace the engine about 4 years ago and we’re still getting gas smell into the cabin. About 3 years ago, we broke down on the road because the transmission quit. All our repairs have been done through Ford service department. We are now broke down again because of the transmission. Something has to be done with the Ford Escape!

I purchased this vehicle $9000 cash from Toyota Morgan City in Morgan City Louisiana the end of September 2025 on a Saturday, not even a week later the car shifts real hard and it’s an automatic. You can see the rpm going up but the car steaks and then shifts hard to where it jerks. I called the car dealership where I purchased, they “looked” at the car and told me that it was not a problem they could fix because it was the transmission that Ford put in the cars. And proceeded to tell me that they were sorry that I need a new transmission but that’s not there problem and for me to take it to a Ford dealership even though I purchased from them. Why is this not a recall if you’re putting faulty transmissions in?

While driving, the car hesitates changing gears. Sometimes the car will not go in gear or go into Park. Had a recall in 2022 for some bushings and cable shifter. The car is too dangerous to drive and mechanics have stated a new transmission is needed.

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while accelerating from a stop, the vehicle failed to move. The contact placed the vehicle into Sport Mode and was able to drive as needed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact replaced the vacuum, and the engine light went off. The contact had an independent mechanic arrive at the residence, and the mechanic determined that the vehicle was about to throw a rod. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started and shifted into drive(D), the vehicle failed to move forward. The contact stated that the shift indicator indicated that the transmission was not in drive(D). The contact shifted the gear lever however, the vehicle failed to respond while shifted into drive(D), reverse(R), or neutral. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that her husband checked under the hood and became aware that the shifter cable was loose and applied pressure, and the contact was able to shift into drive(D) and drove the vehicle back to the residence. The contact arrived at the residence and attempted to shift to park(P), however the transmission failed to engage as intended. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

My 2015 Ford Escape, VIN [XXX], equipped with the 2.0L EcoBoost engine, has experienced a repeat engine failure due to what appears to be the known “coolant intrusion” defect currently under active litigation (Miller v. Ford). The original engine failed due to loss of coolant into the cylinders, causing rough idle, misfires, abnormal engine noise, and loss of performance. Ford replaced the entire engine under warranty approximately 24.5 months ago. The replacement engine is now exhibiting the same symptoms, including: Rough/unstable idle, especially on startup Abnormally loud engine noise Suspected internal coolant loss with no visible external leaks Reduced performance and hesitation This is the second major engine failure in a short time, creating a serious safety concern due to potential sudden loss of power while driving. The EcoBoost coolant intrusion defect is widely reported in Ford Escapes from this model year and is the subject of a class action lawsuit. Ford has not issued a recall for all affected vehicles, leaving owners at risk of repeated engine failures. I am submitting this complaint to document the repeat failure, as it poses a risk to safe operation and may affect other vehicles on the road. I can provide repair records, photos, and video evidence upon request. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Purchased my 2015 escape in Aug. of 2023 used knowing that the head gaskets needed to be replaced. Took it to a certified mechanic and had everything fixed on it. Fast forward to October of 2024 - Transmission went out had to purchase a brand new transmission had it installed at the certified mechanic. Then in July of 2025 all of the sudden it overheated. Took it back to the same mechanic and once again the head gaskets are blown. They stated that coolant had leaked into the motor and now it all needs replaced. How is this not a recall yet with everything that I have been reading. A recall has been issued for a back up camera but not this. We have been driving without back up cameras forever but we cannot drive a vehicle when every few months we need to dump thousands of dollars in it.

The car won’t shift into the intended gear.The car stalls as well. The transmission fault service now light is on.

While driving recently, my vehicle unexpectedly lost all forward acceleration. Soon after, I discovered that when placed in Park, the vehicle could still roll freely — a dangerous condition that could lead to an accident or injury. Initially, the car was able to move in both Drive and Reverse for a short time, but it quickly deteriorated to only reversing, and then the Park function failed to hold the vehicle altogether. I have maintained my Escape according to Ford’s recommendations and have records available. There were no warning lights, no unusual noises beforehand, and no indication that such a failure was imminent. This is not just a mechanical failure but a significant safety hazard, as loss of acceleration and loss of Park lock can put drivers, passengers, and bystanders at risk.

The contact’s daughter owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact's daughter stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated while attempting to shift gear. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 106,000.

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle started vibrating, with an abnormal sound coming from under the center of the vehicle. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and restarted the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic who suspected a failure with the transmission. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

Driving home from work vehicle would not move forward. Had towed to Ford dealership. Told transmission was over heating, requiring a new transmission at a cost $7,400. Purchased the vehicle one year ago from an auto dealership. Was told by the Ford dealership that they see a lot of this happening to this vehicle type.

The shift cable bushing on my 2015 Ford Escape failed, causing the gear shifter to appear in "Park" when the transmission was actually in a different gear. This posed a significant safety risk, as the vehicle could roll unexpectedly. The problem was diagnosed and confirmed by a certified Ford dealership. They stated the failure was due to a coolant hose leak affecting the bushing, but this seems questionable since this exact bushing has been recalled previously for premature degradation (Ford recalls 18S20 and 22S25). I experienced the same symptoms reported in the recall: gear position not matching the shifter, difficulty engaging Park, and the potential for the car to roll. There were no warning lights or messages before the failure. I had to pay for the repair out of pocket, even though this appears to be the same defect covered in the recall. The part is no longer available for inspection, as it was replaced during the repair.

The shift cable bushing on my 2015 Ford Escape failed, causing the gear shifter to appear in "Park" when the transmission was actually in a different gear. This posed a significant safety risk, as the vehicle could roll unexpectedly. The problem was diagnosed and confirmed by a certified Ford dealership. They stated the failure was due to a coolant hose leak affecting the bushing, but this seems questionable since this exact bushing has been recalled previously for premature degradation (Ford recalls 18S20 and 22S25). I experienced the same symptoms reported in the recall: gear position not matching the shifter, difficulty engaging Park, and the potential for the car to roll. There were no warning lights or messages before the failure. I had to pay for the repair out of pocket, even though this appears to be the same defect covered in the recall. The part is no longer available for inspection, as it was replaced during the repair.

On 14 May 2025 at approximately 11:45 am I went to drive my Ford Escape to Metro Ford for routine engine service. I started the Ford and proceeded to drive away. A few minutes later as I was driving down a two lane major highway I began to accelerate the Ford when I noticed RPMs going up but transmission was not engaged. I shifted into neutral and back to drive. Still nothing. I tried using manual shift buttons, nothing. I was on a busy high speed road and could not accelerate. I had enough momentum to pull off on a driveway area. I tried shifting ford into park and drive and when going to drive nothing happened. I turned the car off. Waited a few minutes and the Ford finally engaged into reverse. I was able to get back to my house by getting enough momentum to coast down to my driveway. The transmission completely stopped working. This is a serious failure that I had no indication it was failing. Had my niece or her kids was in the car they could have been injured due to the vehicle stalling on a major road or in an intersection or even in a train track. So many potential life threatening possibilities. I towed the Ford to Metro Ford. Ford only quoted me options for repair. I advised them if they had no other concerns then I would report the extremely dangerous situation that should have already been recalled. Ford metro noted they pulled transmission fluid and determined there transmission is bad. I had no warning from the computer this was a potential failure. I could have been killed had I not been able to figure out how to get out of the road. This transmission failure, according to Ford is common. If so, it’s a safety hazard. I am parking the Ford and I’m willing to let anyone inspect it so they can see the failure prior to any repairs. I maintain the Ford and rely on it. I want all Ford Escape owners to know this Hazardous safety issue. Someone is going to get killed if not already has been.